Rea, 27, was with Halesowen Town last season and turned out for the Gladiators in the pre-season defeat at Lincoln United last weekend.
He played under new Matlock boss Steve Kittrick at both Guiseley and AFC Telford, as well as turning out for Stalybridge and Chester.
His signing makes it 14 in total for Kittrick since he took over in the summer following the departure of Dave Frecklington.
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